Runaway grandmother sparked savage skirmish on LoC

The clashes, among the worst on the Line of Control since a ceasefire went into place, have provoked fears that the ceasefire may melt down. In India, news that the two soldiers were beheaded has provoked widespread outrage and calls for large-scale military retaliation

Exclusive Tit-for-tat actions over a case of border crossing

Indian bunker construction on the northern reaches of the Line of Control — initiated after a grandmother crossed into Pakistan-administered Kashmir to be with her sons — sparked off a spiral of violence which culminated in the brutal killing of two soldiers in an ambush earlier this week, highly placed military and government sources have told The Hindu.

The clashes, among the worst on the Line of Control since a ceasefire went into place, have provoked fears that the ceasefire may melt down. In India, news that the two soldiers were beheaded has provoked widespread outrage and calls for large-scale military retaliation.

However, the officials who spoke to The Hindu had a very different account — of how a relatively innocuous incident spiralled into a series of murderous clashes, before culminating in the killing of Lance-Naik Sudhakar Singh and Lance-Naik Hemraj. Both armies, the officials said, engaged in aggressive action, driven by the still-fraught situation on the Line of Control.

Early in September, 70-year old Reshma Bi, left the village of Charonda, near Uri, to live with her sons and grandchildren across the Line of Control.

Ms. Reshma and her husband Ibrahim Lohar, a highly-placed military source said, had remained in Charonda after their sons crossed into Pakistan-administered Kashmir several years ago, to escape police investigations of their alleged role in cross-border trafficking. Police officers contacted by The Hindu said that Ms. Reshma appeared to have left in the hope of living out her last years with her family.

Ms. Reshma’s September 11 flight, a senior Srinagar-based military official said, set off alarms at the Uri-headquartered 19 infantry brigade. There, the incident was seen as highlighting vulnerabilities in defences along this stretch of the Line of Control. Charonda is located within metres of the Line of Control, outside of the three-layer counter-infiltration fencing which runs along the frontier.

Inside of a week after Ms. Reshma’s departure, troops of the 9 Maratha Light Infantry began constructing observations bunkers around Charonda, seeking to monitor the movement of villagers.

The construction work — barred by the terms of the Line of Control ceasefire which India and Pakistan agreed on in 2003 — provoked furious protests from Pakistani troops. Indian commanders, the military source said, conceded that the construction was in violation of the ceasefire.

However, they refused to stop work, arguing that the posts faced out towards the village, posing no threat to Pakistan. Early in October, the official said, tensions began to escalate. Pakistan even made announcements over a public address system, demanding that Indian troops end the construction work.

Following the announcement, shells followed. Pakistani troops fired mortar and high-calibre automatic weapons at Indian forward positions. The fire missed its intended target, but killed three villagers, 25-year-old Mohammad Shafi Khatana, 20-year-old Shaheena Bano, and a ninth-grade school student, Liaqat Ali. In the weeks leading up to the New Year, military sources said, hardly a week went by without occasional shots being fired at troops headed to the new observation posts.

Finally, on January 6, matters came to a head. Following a low-grade exchange of fire that night, 19 Infantry Division commander Gulab Singh Rawat sought and obtained permission for aggressive action against the Pakistani position from where his troops were being targeted.

Pakistan insists its post, Sawan Patra, was raided by Indian troops. India has denied the allegation. “None of our troops crossed the Line of Control,” said Jagdish Dahiya, an Indian army spokesperson.

Either way, though, a Pakistani soldier was dead before the shooting ended — and another critically injured.

“Let’s just put it this way,” a senior government official in New Delhi said, “there was no formal permission to stage a cross-border raid to target Sawan Patra. However, in the heat of fighting, these things have been known to happen. Pakistan has done this, and our forces have done this, ever since fighting began in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.”

Pakistani retaliation

Pakistan chose to retaliate against the Indian action in one of the few sectors on the Line of Control where its troops have a relative tactical advantage. Fighting has been underway in the Krishna Ghati sector, on the southern end of the Haji Pir pass, since June. The skirmishes there had earlier claimed the life of Border Security Force constable P.K. Mishra and Indian Army soldier Harvinder Singh. The fighting in the summer also began with disputes over the construction of new border outposts by India.

Few details have emerged on the attack, but government sources in New Delhi said a Pakistani Border Action Team — assault units that in the past have been reported to consist of both jihadists and members of the élite Special Services Group — are believed to have carried out the attack.

“It is almost certainly a retaliation for what happened in Charonda”, a military official in New Delhi said. “This kind of thing has often happened in the past, though it hasn’t got quite so much media attention.”

Last year, for example, there was fierce fighting Karnah, some 140 kilometres from Srinagar after two Indian soldiers were beheaded in an attack on a forward position by a Border Action Team. Indian special forces responded by targeting a Pakistani forward post, killing several soldiers and, by the account of one military official, which The Hindu could not corroborate independently, beheaded two.

Earlier, in July, 2008, four Pakistani troops and an Indian solider were killed in fighting near Handwara, again because of disputes over the construction of new fortifications around an Indian position, code named Eagle Post. BSF constable Bhanwar Lal was killed in a separate clash along the LoC in Rajouri, while 8 Gurkha Rifles’ Jawashwar Lami Chhame died when jihadists backed by Pakistani troops shelled an Indian forward post in Poonch.

In some cases, fighting and bonhomie have gone hand in hand in different stretches of the LoC. In September 2009, Pakistani military commanders gave their Indian counterparts packets and sweets on the occasion of Eid, even as their soldiers were exchanging fire along the Krishna Ghati sector, as well as on Pargwal island, near Nikowal in Jammu.

I really feel bad for the common man who lives in the borders. Also want to appreciate The Hindu for letting us some news rather than some hype

from:
Prabhakaran

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 19:37 IST

Indian bunker construction on Indian side is not illegal act........so if Pakistanis get provoked by it then it is their fault..

from:
Aman

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 17:16 IST

The experience since 2003 shows that one-sided concessions and friendly overtures by India have not led to Pakistan stopping terrorism against India or any actions on the likes of Hafiz Saeed etc. This is a no returns policy for India. Also, in the context of the end-game in Afghanistan, let's assess where we stand and whom we face. We are alone internationally, and we face the Talibanis at our borders when the US leaves. Given this situation, Aman Ki Asha needs to be abandoned for Shanti ki Sthaapna ... and Shaanti and Shakti go together.In another context, not everyone calling for some forthright action is intent on nuking Pakistan. A sane and strong reply from India - whether military or both military and diplomatic - will immediately define the limits of Pakistan's aggression and inflict punishment on them.

from:
Shivani

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 16:52 IST

Thanks Hindu...for keeping true Journalism alive.

from:
Arun

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 03:14 IST

@Chandra and Shankar Raman: Well said!! Hope we learn from our mistakes and build better relations with Pakistan and bring peace to the region.

from:
Srinivas

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 02:24 IST

an excellent piece....clearly both sides are to blame but these kind of things will happen when you have thousands of men pointing guns at each other in that terrain

from:
muhammad rafeh ishaq

Posted on: Jan 11, 2013 at 00:10 IST

I am simply amazed that the first line of the article coolly says 'Pakistan-administered Kashmir', instead of the historically and legally correct 'Pakistan-occupied Kashmir'.

from:
Manish Kulkarni

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 23:16 IST

Excellent journalism, and so timely. The article provides a balanced perspective on recent developments on the Line of Control. The factual and researched analysis is far removed from the barking of media anchors on our electronic channels. The low intelligence and the utter inability to understand reality by our hyper active media anchors, unanimous in clamouring for war with Pakistan in retaliation, is a matter of deep concern. Perhaps censorship of the electronic media is not such a bad idea.

from:
Sanjay Saksena

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 12:03 IST

*1 both the sides have not taken into consideration, what about those families who live ( the last citizen, on both the sides ) of the LoC have to say about these endless killings AND their voices/ wishes to restore PEACE in the Region, have gone unheard ...!
*2 #AmanKiAsha can't b achieved by either side alone, VOICES on both the sides instead of, whisper have to ECHO louder together, united by way of PROTESTS against both the Establishments, in a peaceful & non-
violence
manner ... suggesting to "STOP killing of SOLDIERS, on either SIDES"...!!
*3 the establishments on both the sides need to understand, do not engage in DIVIDING the Society-n-its-People cos, we have had learnt a lot in the last 65 years, it would then be better if, we together engage ourselves in COMPETING to bring PEACE in the Region AND focus ourselves in taking both the NATIONS together and help it built as *SUPER_POWER* not by NUCLEAR or Arms-Race means but, through PROSPERITY...!!!

reg.,
Chandra

from:
Chandra Shekhar

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:20 IST

Beautiful work of journalism.

from:
Viswas

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:15 IST

Its indeed a good story, but i presume that there is more than what meets the eye. The way pakistani soldiers behaved is not the ordinary one. Killing of soldiers in crossfiring is kind of normal and conventional but the sheer brutality of the attack and the subsequent killing surely has something in it. Either way pakistan want to convey some message to india. We need to remain vigil or else this incident may be a trailer of Kargil 2.0.

from:
prithviraj

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:10 IST

While the article makes it look like both sides and a few short tempered acts are at fault here, one has to ask why the aggressive posture exists at LOC in the first place..... because of Pakistan's attempt to push people from that side of the border.

from:
venkat

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:10 IST

This is a tragic conflict, made poignant by the author's last sentence about Pakistani and Indian soldiers, as individuals, exchanging sweets even as they, as armies, exchange fire.

The story and circumstances, the unfortunate deaths of civilians and soldiers, all bring to mind Sa'adat Hasan Manto's famous short story set in Teetwal, perhaps fifty kilometres or so to the north—as the raven flies—of the present flashpoint. Manto's story 'The Dog of Tithwal', involving Indian and Pakistani soldiers and a dog that moves back and forth across the border, is a powerful narrative conveying the suffering that even the innocent undergo, as they move across the border in quest of human companionship, human bonds. More than five decades have passed since Manto wrote this tale. In all this time, have we really learned nothing? Will the lines we draw on our maps remain hard borders that brook no transgression or become soft thresholds offering opportunities for transformation?

from:
T R Shankar Raman

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:09 IST

Sir, Thanks to the Hindu for publishing a very informative article on beheading of two Indian soldiers. The incident is not only provocative, but inhuman too. However, when we go into the root cause of the incidents, we can say that both sides are responsible. May it be the village of Charonda or any other village and if it is situated near LOC, this kind of incident seems to happen anywhere in the world. The two countries are behaving like enemies. Unfortunately we have not learnt lesson from Europe where border skirmishes are rare. We can only hope that people of these countries will realize their mistakes and will do their best for the betterment of people.
Yours faithfully;
BIMAL CHANDRA JHA
Samanpura Road, Patna

from:
BIMAL CHANDRA JHA

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 11:06 IST

Thanks to Swami, we know the facts about the border skirmishes. There is no doubt that faults have occurred on both sides and they are condemnable. It would be sane on the part of the higher military officers on both sides to sit down and sort out the issues instead of turning it into a drama one witnesses at the Wagah border or in an Indo-Pakistan cricket match. Otherwise loud mouths on both sides, there are enough of them, will hijack the issue to the political level.

from:
Arun Murthy

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 10:53 IST

India can no longer afford the luxury of being a soft state, continuing to avoid hard decisions and actions. A soft state at this critical juncture in history may also face a meltdown like Pakistan.”
let us emulate gallant Israel, a nation slightly bigger than our Goa. Since its inception in 1948, It stands steadfast against the surrounding hostile countries like Syria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan; and oh!-not forgetting Pakistan. Shun the sceptical warning about Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. We die but only once! In Bollywood parlour, “Hum to Doobengay Sanam; Tum Ko Bhee Saath Le Jaayengay!

from:
vasoo kamulkar

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 10:49 IST

I am a Pakistani and just want to thank this site for reporting an unbiased report. I just hope that other indian news sites and some in pakistan too start reporting without bias. The report shows that their is no news in the issue and these things have been happening for years and beheading has also happened from both sides. I hope the human sense pervails and our civilian governments put a stop to inhuman killings. At the same time I may beg indian side to obey the 2003 LOC agreement. Hope this report will save the peace process and teach the common man that their is lot more to a story then the way some "times" its reported to creat hate.

from:
Shahid

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 10:23 IST

It is insane for the Indians and Pakistanis to be killing each other at the LOC. They are both much too poor to adequately feed their nationals. Isn't it high time they settle their lingering differences and live like good neighbors?

from:
Syed Shere

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:54 IST

The article intends to uncover truths and make the incident look like normal.Well,at one place it cites an uncorroborated beheading by Indian soldiers.Would the Pak army keep mum on such an attack?And should this be mentioned in an article,it would be assumed to be speaking for Pakistani beheaders,rather than an attempt to tell truths.

from:
Abhishek kumar baranwal

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:51 IST

Thanks to The Hindu for publishing this article since truth is vitally more important than nationalism/jingoism. When our side is guilty, we must readily admit our mistake and make amends so that it at least sets an environment for truthful exchange. Our jawans and BSF need to be trained to think of Pakistanis as the same kind of people as Indians; it's only the politically motivated people on the top or the extremists/fanatics that fuel hatred among the people. And, neither country gains in such fights except the West who supplies both countries with weapons to destroy each other.

from:
Ashim Jain

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:40 IST

Cant it be a militant attack? rather than a run away granny story.

Army officers are generally trained to respect the enemy's dead body and not to mutilate it. Wonder whether the code of ethics has changed in the PAK army.

from:
aparna

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:35 IST

Pakistan's growing arrogance along the LOC all along these years need to be snuffed out for good. Their powerful Northern ally has contributed to this new found courage. Manmohan has to shed his timidness and put his foot down to show China / Pak ,who the boss is, like how it was in the era of the great Indira Gandhi. During her time none of the leaders from Mahathir , Lee Kuan Yew and the Chinese leadership dare speak out against India. Malaysia was petrified by the very lady. It's about time that Manmohan does that Indira Gig.

from:
Kumar Menon

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:34 IST

Ohh... for God sakes The Hindu don't try to simplify the situation and brainwash the youth into a demotivated state of mind against protest for soft handedness of govt/congress. This is a gross violation of LOC and this should totally be retaliated with full power and the posts which are responsible should be leveled with barrage of bombing. So that a strong message should go.

from:
babu bajrangi

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:28 IST

This is why India needs -'TheHindu'. While all other media is busy in telecasting 'we are good-they are bad' type of stories by highlighting the death of two indian soldiers and raising passions of the people, TheHindu went to the root cause of the issue.

from:
james

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 09:21 IST

Praveen Swami's front page report is really praiseworthy for the objective manner in which it brings out the complexities of manning the LOC which results in both sides occasionally straying from accepted norms. The sequence of events from Sept 2012 that he has described has hardly been mentioned in our frenetic and sensation ridden visual media. Swami's report deserves to be widely circulated in all languages for the benefit of all our thinking citizenry.

It seems essential for the DGMOs of both sides to be in constant contact to prevent minor incidents escalating into flare ups such as those of the past few months.

from:
S Nityananda

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 08:33 IST

Is this article blaming the Indians or am I reading it wrong.

from:
Hari Nair

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 08:05 IST

The whole situation is very messy! I don't understand the outrage in India over the body mutilation of Indian soldiers by the Pak military. Where was the same outrage when the Indian troops beheaded two Pakistani soldiers last year in Karnah?(substantiated by an Indian official as per this report). Don't know if there was any media coverage then of that unspeakable act. Irrespective of who does this to whom, this level of barbaric violence is unacceptable. I understand this is war. In war, there has to be some respect for fallen warriors irrespective of which side he is from.
On another point, I can't help but notice the subtle India bias in this article even while purporting to be a balanced report. For example in the graphic titled "Crossing the line", January 6th - when refering to alleged breach of LoC by India, it says "Pak says LOC breached" However January 8th it assertively states that Pakistan crosses LOC. I guess we just are not immune to biases. I am an Indian by the way!

from:
Lakshman V

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 07:38 IST

How can a professional army like the Pakistani army have jihadis elements as part of a regular troop formation. No wonder the Pakistani army is highly radicalized. How exactly are Indians expected to form bonds and establish dialogue with a country whose army is a nebulous mix of regular army and non-state actors like the jihadies? Isn't the term non-state actors now a misnomer?

from:
Hemant

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 07:32 IST

The Indian Govt. should allow the army to reply to the killing and beheading of our soldiers so that Other countries will think twice before committing such brutal acts. By the way why is the hindu referrring Pak Occupied Kashmir as Pakistan Administered Kashmir? Wasn't that occupied by Pak?

Wait! -- For the next similar incident!

Sathya Pararth

so your take is it is India's fault, nothing wrong with these beheadings ?

from:
hari

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 06:43 IST

This is a very good report.

from:
Raj Swaminathan

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 06:02 IST

Thank you for infusing reason into this ugly episode.

from:
Sohail Zahid

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 04:53 IST

Thanks Hindu. This changes my view of the whole story. India as a responsible country shouldn't have broken the terms of the Cease Fire.

I fail to understand the objection Army has over movement of old lady who wanted to be with her sons. Was it difficult to find this out

from:
Amit

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 04:16 IST

Thanks to Praveen Swami for the story obtained from his sources.

So the Indian and Pakistan Govts know the full story, but the people of both countries have been kept in the dark.

from:
Raghu

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 04:10 IST

I am really shocked how The Hindu has explained this matter in a public domain, not required et all. I am not saying that this is like a opening of secret matters, but still such details are not required especially when you can't put the person's name and just say 'highly placed officials', 'sources' ... no, this is something really not exptected.

from:
Shrihari Kulkarni

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 04:07 IST

Perhaps if we placed Indo-Pak border policy in the hands of grandmothers instead of grandstanding "Chamcha" politicos and generals, we'd actually solve the Kashmir problem, which has been an ulcer poisoning South Asian relations for lo these 66 years. Personnally, I would like to see a grandmother's spring in the region, and perhaps in all India and Pakistan as well. Let's face it, men in both countries have made a mess of things!

from:
Chandar Sundaram

Posted on: Jan 10, 2013 at 04:03 IST

Trust Praveen to give the authentic happenings in that sector. A true example of journalism of highest standard. The way Indian media went haywire on Pakistan aggression with little introspection on actual events was totally uncalled for and could have spiralled off into an unwanted skirmish between two countries. Having said that mutilation and decapitation of bodies are offshoots of inhuman warfare and should be stopped at once irrespective of the side who started the ghastly practice.